The case of Lawrence v Gallagher [2012] 1 FCR 557 is the first substantial appeal concerning the financial orders made following the dissolution of a civil partnership.

The number of cohabiting couples in the UK has risen by 22 per cent in the last ten years, according to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Researchers at Brown University in the U.S. analysed thirty years of marriage data collected from Framingham, a town in Massachusetts.

Resolving the finances comes as an inevitable consequence of any marriage breakdown. For some couples a “clean break” is preferable.

Mr Justice Baker recently heard a very rare application in the High Court by a mother to terminate the father of her son’s parental responsibility (PR).

This was an application by the husband for the court to make an order in the terms of a Separation Agreement which the parties had entered into over 20 years ago.

Earlier this year newspaper headlines focussed on the plight of Michelle Young, ex –wife to Scott Young, a former “fixer” for British businessmen.

The decision of Vince v Wyatt was delivered by the Court of Appeal on 8 May 2013 much to the relief of ‘long-term’ divorcees across the country.

It is well known that the starting point for division of matrimonial assets on divorce is a 50 / 50 split. It is similarly well known that there can be reasons to depart from such a split of the assets.